Inp.polri.go.id - Denpasar.  Bali Regional Police Directorate of Water and Air deployed a forensic laboratory team to investigate the cause of the fire on the tanker ship Elisabet, which occurred near Gili Tepekong, Candidasa, Karangasem, Bali, on Wednesday.

Bali Police Water and Air Director Senior Superintendent Nurodin said that the forensic team is dispatched after the clearance from the marine safety officials. 

"We need to confirm this today to avoid any hazards like gas leaks that could endanger the investigation," he said on Thursday (8/8/2024).

Director Nurodin added that evacuation of the victims has been carried out and witness statements have been collected from survivors and crew members. 

"We have questioned the crew present during the incident. However, further investigation is needed as witness statements have yet to provide conclusive results," he explained.

Karangasem Sub-regional Police Head of Public Relations, First Inspector I Gede Sukadana, revealed that the sunken vessel was the tanker ship Elisabet with 21 crew members on board. 

The tanker, en route to Badas, Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, experienced explosions from the crew compartment upon reaching Gili Tepekong. The explosions were reported to have occurred twice.

(mg/pt/pr/nm)